Except for the possibility of a thundershower Friday, the weatherman is promising ideal weather for the 154th Orangeville Fall Fair.

Although an added feature at this year's fair will be a hot air balloon program hosted by Orangeville Insurance, that's only one of many events in store for fair visitors.

The balloon, owned by Aviva Pilot Insurance, will arrive at the fairgrounds Friday and remain through the Labour Day weekend. Fair visitors will be offered a chance to win a flight for two in the new balloon or just sample what it feels like on a tethered ride. All proceeds from the balloon activities will go to Hospice Dufferin.

The fair is set to open at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a horse pull competition that will be followed at 7 by the Dufferin/Wellington Holstein Show.

On Saturday, the Albion Amusements Giant Midway will operate all day, along with the balloon rides, an antique power equipment display, "bucking bronco" monster truck rides and a Tamsu Agility Dogs event.

A Kiddies Pedal Tractor Pull will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and a 'road hazards' car show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As well, there'll be live entertainment on stage from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a truck and tractor pull at 11 a.m., a pet show starting at 11:30 a.m. and a "mutt and cat" show at 3 p.m.

The evening will feature a motorcycle stunt show at 7 and 8:30.

On Sunday, the midway, balloon rides, antique power equipment display, monster truck rides and Tamsu dogs event will again be open all day long. The live entertainment on stage will run from noon to 5 p.m., the kiddies' pedal tractor pull at 1 p.m. and a demolition derby at 6:30.

Labour Day Monday will see the midway operating all day, along with the Tamsu Agility Dogs and antique power equipment display. The kiddies' pedal tractor pull will be at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the live entertainment on stage will start at noon. There'll be a talent show at 1 p.m.

The fair's livestock events include a 4H Interclub Dairy Show at 3 p.m. and the Holstein show at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday will see a draft horses competition at 9 a.m.,

A Class 11 Dufferin 4H Beef Calf Club demonstration at 10; and four competitions scheduled to start at noon: class 13 open breeding heifers, class 14 open market heifers, class 15 open jackpot steers and class 16 open junior beef.

Sunday livestock events include class 3 miniature horses and class 5 western horse games at 9:30 a.m., class 7 shorthorns and class 9 Charolais at 10:30, class 6 herefords and class 8 Aberdeen Angus at 1:30, and class 17 sheep at 2 p.m.

On Monday there'll be a class 4 hunter horse show at 8:30 a.m. and a class 18 dairy goat show at 11.